Duke Energy braces for power outages as Hurricane Idalia steams toward Florida

A Florida utility is preparing for power outages as Tropical Storm Idalia chugs toward the state's Gulf Coast region, where it is expected to turn into a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall on Wednesday.

Duke Energy said Monday it is mobilizing 4,500 employees, including power line technicians, vegetation workers, damage assessors and support personnel, to respond to any disruptions to the electric grid in potentially affected areas.